Mowlam, Flanagan to discuss weekend violence in North

The Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, is to meet the RUC Chief Constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, after weekend violence in Derry…

The Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, is to meet the RUC Chief Constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, after weekend violence in Derry and a turbulent confrontation between police and residents on Belfast's Lower Ormeau Road.

It is understood that they will discuss events in both cities and the security situation.

Dismay was voiced by many politicians that the first anniversary of the Omagh bombing was marred by violence.

There was widespread condemnation of the rioting in Derry. There was also substantial nationalist criticism of the RUC following the force's removal of protesters from the Lower Ormeau Road to allow an Apprentice Boys march on Saturday.

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The RUC has strongly defended its actions.

Mr Alex Attwood, an SDLP member of the Assembly, said: "There were appeals for minimum policing on the Ormeau Road yet the RUC used maximum resources, heavy force and aggressive tactics.

"On this evidence, there is little change in the culture and nature of the RUC."

He said it was vital to restore faith in the Belfast Agreement over the coming days.

The Sinn Fein negotiator, Mr Martin McGuinness, said the Apprentice Boys parade should never have been allowed.

"The brutality of the RUC against peaceful demonstrators on the Lower Ormeau Road once again highlights the sectarian nature of the force", he said.

Ms Bernadette Sands McKevitt, of the 32 County Sovereignty Movement, said events on the Ormeau Road showed "the stark reality of the Stormont deal" for nationalists.

"Let there be no more nonsense talked about the equality agenda or reform of the RUC. There never will be equality for nationalists under British rule. The RUC, like the six-county state, is irreformable and must go", she added.

Meanwhile, Mr McGuinness condemned rioting by nationalist youths in Derry following the Apprentice Boys march in the city on Saturday. Speaking on the BBC's Breakfast With Frost, he said: "I do think that the people who were involved in burning buildings in Derry and exposing the people of the city to further trauma were wrong."

He criticised the Parades Commission's decision to allow the Apprentice Boys to march through the Lower Ormeau.

Nationalists feared that the commission was coming under British government pressure to "placate and appease" unionists ahead of further political talks, he added.

The violence in Derry was also condemned by the North's Security Minister, Mr Adam Ingram. He said it was "planned, unprovoked and totally unacceptable".

"The fact that police uncovered a petrol-bomb factory demonstrates quite clearly that this was planned by thugs and extremists taking advantage of feelings generated by the legal Apprentice Boys parade", Mr Ingram said.

"Violence at any time is unacceptable, but to seek violent attacks on the weekend when we are remembering the terrible atrocity at Omagh of just a year ago is doubly deplorable."

The Church of Ireland Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Dr James Mehaffey, said: "I simply deplore the violence. Those who bring people out on to the street in protest hold great responsibility, because a protest which may be well-intentioned initially can easily degenerate into a mob out to wreck and destroy.

"I think the good name of this city - and many have been struggling to promote its good name - has been blemished."